Joist Shielding Assembly

ABSTRACT

A joist shielding assembly for preventing water from damaging joists includes a pair of deflectors that is configured to position singly over upper edges of adjacently positioned joists, such as in a deck. Each deflector is configured to direct water laterally from a respective adjacently positioned joist so that the water is prevented from contacting the respective adjacently positioned joist. Indicia are coupled to the pair of deflectors. Respective indicia are configured to guide placement of a deck plank so that the deck plank is positioned to couple perpendicularly to the adjacently positioned joists.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention (2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The disclosure and prior art relates to shielding assemblies and more particularly pertains to a new shielding assembly for preventing water from damaging joists.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a pair of deflectors that is configured to position singly over upper edges of adjacently positioned joists, such as in a deck. Each deflector is configured to direct water laterally from a respective adjacently positioned joist so that the water is prevented from contacting the respective adjacently positioned joist. Indicia are coupled to the pair of deflectors. Respective indicia are configured to guide placement of a deck plank so that the deck plank is positioned to couple perpendicularly to the adjacently positioned joists.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a joist shielding assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an end view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an isometric perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new shielding assembly embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the joist shielding assembly 10 generally comprises a pair of deflectors 12 that is configured to position singly over upper edges of adjacently positioned joists, such as in a deck. Each deflector 12 is configured to direct water laterally from a respective adjacently positioned joist. The water is prevented from contact with the respective adjacently positioned joist. In one embodiment, the deflectors 12 comprise plastic. In another embodiment, the deflectors 12 are resistant to ultraviolet radiation.

Each deflector 12 comprises a first panel 14, a pair of second panels 16, and a pair of third panels 18. The first panel 14 is substantially complementary to the upper edge of the respective adjacently positioned joist. Each second panel 16 is coupled to and extends perpendicularly from a respective opposing edge 20 of the first panel 14. Each third panel 18 is coupled to and extends transversely from a respective second panel 16 distal from the first panel 14. The third panel 18 is configured to direct water laterally from the respective adjacently positioned joist. The water is prevented from contact with the respective adjacently positioned joist. In one embodiment, the third panel 18 extends from the respective second panel 16 so that the third panel 18 and the respective second panel 16 are positioned at 60 degrees.

Indicia 22 are coupled to the pair of deflectors 12. Respective indicia 22 are configured to guide placement of a deck plank so that the deck plank is positioned to be coupled perpendicularly to the adjacently positioned joists. In one embodiment, each indicium 22 comprises a pair of lines 24. Each line 24 is perpendicular to a respective adjacently positioned joist so that the lines 24 are parallel. The lines 24 are configured to guide placement of adjacently positioned deck planks so that the adjacently positioned deck planks are positioned perpendicularly to the adjacently positioned joists. The lines 24 also are configured to guide the placement of the adjacently positioned deck planks so that the adjacently positioned deck planks have a separation equivalent to a spacing 26 between the pair of lines 24.

A gutter 28 is configured to couple to and extend between the adjacently positioned joists. The gutter 28 is configured to intercept the water that is directed laterally from the pair of deflectors 12. The water is directed away from an area under the gutter 28. In one embodiment, the gutter 28 is configured to position angularly relative to the deflectors 12. A first end 30 of the gutter 28 is higher than a second end 32 of the gutter 28 to compel the water toward the second end 32 and away from a structure to which the adjacently positioned joists are attached. The water also is prevented from contact with beams upon which the adjacently positioned joists are positioned. In another embodiment, the gutter 28 comprises a plurality of sections 34. The gutter 28 is selectively sizable to match the length of the adjacently positioned joists. In yet another embodiment, the gutter 28 comprises plastic. In still yet another embodiment, the gutter 28 is resistant to ultraviolet radiation.

The gutter 28 comprises a first plate 36 and a pair of second plates 38. The first plate 36 is substantially complementary to a rectangle defined by the adjacently positioned joists. Each second plate 38 is coupled to and extends perpendicularly from a respective opposing side 40 of the first plate 36.

In one embodiment of the invention, the assembly 10 comprises a trough 42 that extends transversely from the gutter 28 proximate to the second end 32. The trough 42 is configured to be positioned between the gutter 28 and a rim of the deck that is distal from the structure to which the adjacently positioned joists are attached.

In another embodiment of the invention, the assembly 10 comprises a diverter 44 that is complementary to an upper edge of a ledger board to which the adjacently positioned joists are coupled. The diverter 44 is shaped complementarily to the deflectors 12. The diverter 44 is configured to direct the water laterally from the ledger board. The water is prevented from contact with the ledger board.

In use, each deflector 12 is configured to direct the water laterally from the respective adjacently positioned joist. The water is prevented from contact with the respective adjacently positioned joist. The diverter 44 that is positioned on the ledger board is configured to direct the water laterally from the ledger board. The water is prevented from contact with the ledger board. The pair of lines 24 is configured to guide the placement of the adjacently positioned deck planks so that the adjacently positioned deck planks are positioned perpendicularly to the adjacently positioned joists. The pair of lines 24 also is configured to guide the placement of the adjacently positioned deck planks so that the adjacently positioned deck planks have the separation equivalent to the spacing 26 between the pair of lines 24. The gutter 28 is configured to intercept the water that is directed laterally from the pair of deflectors 12 and the diverter 44. The water is directed away from the area under the gutter 28 and away from the structure to which the adjacently positioned joists are attached. The water also is prevented from contact with the beams upon which the adjacently positioned joists are positioned.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

1. A joist shielding assembly comprising: a pair of deflectors, said deflectors being configured for positioning singly over upper edges of adjacently positioned joists, such as in a deck, each said deflector comprising a first panel substantially complementary to the upper edge of the respective adjacently positioned joist, a pair of second panels, each said second panel being coupled to and extending perpendicularly from a respective opposing edge of said first panel, a pair of third panels, each said third panel being coupled to and extending transversely from a respective said second panel distal from said first panel, and wherein said third panel is positioned on said respective said second panel such that said third panel is configured for directing water laterally from the respective adjacently positioned joist such that the water is prevented from contacting the respective adjacently positioned joist; indicia coupled to said pair of deflectors; wherein said deflectors are positioned on the adjacently positioned joists such that each said deflector is configured for directing water laterally from a respective adjacently positioned joist such that the water is prevented from contacting the respective adjacently positioned joist, wherein said indicia are positioned on said deflectors such that respective said indicia are configured for guiding placement of a deck plank such that the deck plank is positioned for coupling perpendicularly to the adjacently positioned joists; and a gutter configured for coupling to and extending between the adjacently positioned joists, wherein said gutter is positioned on the adjacently positioned joists such that said gutter is configured for intercepting the water directed laterally from said pair of deflectors such that the water is directed away from an area under said gutter, said gutter comprising a first plate substantially complementary to a rectangle defined by the adjacently positioned joists, and a pair of second plates, each said second plate being coupled to and extending perpendicularly from a respective opposing side of said first plate wherein said second plates are parallel and planar such that said gutter is configured for coupling said second plates directly to opposing faces of said adjacently positioned joists under respective ones of said third panels of said deflectors, and wherein said first plate extends between said adjacently positioned joists.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, further including said deflectors comprising plastic.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, further including said deflectors being resistant to ultraviolet radiation.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The assembly of claim 1, further including said third panel extending from said respective said second panel such that said third panel and said respective said second panel are positioned at 60 degrees.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, further including each said indicium comprising a pair of lines, each said line being perpendicular to a respective adjacently positioned joist such that said lines are parallel, wherein said pair of lines is positioned on a respective said deflector such that said lines are configured for guiding placement of adjacently positioned deck planks such that the adjacently positioned deck planks are positioned perpendicularly to the adjacently positioned joists and such that the adjacently positioned deck planks have a separation equivalent to a spacing between said pair of lines.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The assembly of claim 1, further including said gutter being configured for positioning angularly relative to said deflectors such that a first end of said gutter is higher than a second end of said gutter for compelling the water toward said second end and away from a structure to which the adjacently positioned joists are attached and such that the water is prevented from contacting beams upon which the adjacently positioned joists are positioned.
 9. The assembly of claim 1, further including said gutter comprising a plurality of sections such that said gutter is selectively sizable for matching the length of the adjacently positioned joists.
 10. The assembly of claim 1, further including said gutter comprising plastic.
 11. The assembly of claim 1, further including said gutter being resistant to ultraviolet radiation.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The assembly of claim 8, further including a trough extending transversely from said gutter proximate to said second end such that said trough is configured for positioning between said gutter and a rim of the deck that is distal from the structure to which the adjacently positioned joists are attached.
 14. The assembly of claim 1, further including a diverter complementary to an upper edge of a ledger board to which the adjacently positioned joists are coupled, said diverter being shaped complementarily to said deflectors, wherein said diverter is positioned on the ledger board such that said diverter is configured for directing the water laterally from the ledger board such that the water is prevented from contacting the ledger board.
 15. A joist shielding assembly comprising: a pair of deflectors, said deflectors being configured for positioning singly over upper edges of adjacently positioned joists, such as in a deck, wherein said deflectors are positioned on the adjacently positioned joists such that each said deflector is configured for directing water laterally from a respective adjacently positioned joist such that the water is prevented from contacting the respective adjacently positioned joist, said deflectors comprising plastic, said deflectors being resistant to ultraviolet radiation, each said deflector comprising: a first panel substantially complementary to the upper edge of the respective adjacently positioned joist, a pair of second panels, each said second panel being coupled to and extending perpendicularly from a respective opposing edge of said first panel, and a pair of third panels, each said third panel being coupled to and extending transversely from a respective said second panel distal from said first panel, wherein said third panel is positioned on said respective said second panel such that said third panel is configured for directing water laterally from the respective adjacently positioned joist such that the water is prevented from contacting the respective adjacently positioned joist, said third panel extending from said respective said second panel such that said third panel and said respective said second panel are positioned at 60 degrees; indicia coupled to said pair of deflectors, wherein said indicia are positioned on said deflectors such that respective said indicia are configured for guiding placement of a deck plank such that the deck plank is positioned for coupling perpendicularly to the adjacently positioned joists, each said indicium comprising a pair of lines, each said line being perpendicular to a respective adjacently positioned joist such that said lines are parallel, wherein said pair of lines is positioned on a respective said deflector such that said lines are configured for guiding placement of adjacently positioned deck planks such that the adjacently positioned deck planks are positioned perpendicularly to the adjacently positioned joists and such that the adjacently positioned deck planks have a separation equivalent to a spacing between said pair of lines; a gutter configured for coupling to and extending between the adjacently positioned joists, wherein said gutter is positioned on the adjacently positioned joists such that said gutter is configured for intercepting the water directed laterally from said pair of deflectors such that the water is directed away from an area under said gutter, said gutter being configured for positioning angularly relative to said deflectors such that a first end of said gutter is higher than a second end of said gutter for compelling the water toward said second end and away from a structure to which the adjacently positioned joists are attached and such that the water is prevented from contacting beams upon which the adjacently positioned joists are positioned, said gutter comprising a plurality of sections such that said gutter is selectively sizable for matching the length of the adjacently positioned joists, said gutter comprising plastic, said gutter being resistant to ultraviolet radiation, said gutter comprising: a first plate substantially complementary to a rectangle defined the adjacently positioned joists, and a pair of second plates, each said second plate being coupled to and extending perpendicularly from a respective opposing side of said first plate wherein said second plates are parallel and planar such that said gutter is configured for coupling said second plates directly to opposing faces of said adjacently positioned joists under respective ones of said third panels of said deflectors, and wherein said first plate extends between said adjacently positioned joists; a trough extending transversely from said gutter proximate to said second end such that said trough is configured for positioning between said gutter and a rim of the deck that is distal from the structure to which the adjacently positioned joists are attached; a diverter complementary to an upper edge of a ledger board to which the adjacently positioned joists are coupled, said diverter being shaped complementarily to said deflectors, wherein said diverter is positioned on the ledger board such that said diverter is configured for directing the water laterally from the ledger board such that the water is prevented from contacting the ledger board; and wherein said deflectors are positioned on the adjacently positioned joists such that each said deflector is configured for directing the water laterally from the respective adjacently positioned joist such that the water is prevented from contacting the respective adjacently positioned joist, wherein said diverter is positioned on the ledger board such that said diverter is configured for directing the water laterally from the ledger board such that the water is prevented from contacting the ledger board, wherein said pair of lines is positioned on said respective said deflector such that said lines are configured for guiding the placement of the adjacently positioned deck planks such that the adjacently positioned deck planks are positioned perpendicularly to the adjacently positioned joists and such that the adjacently positioned deck planks have the separation equivalent to said spacing between said pair of lines, wherein said gutter is positioned on the adjacently positioned joists such that said gutter is configured for intercepting the water directed laterally from said pair of deflectors and said diverter such that the water is directed away from the area under said gutter and away from the structure to which the adjacently positioned joists are attached and such that the water is prevented from contacting the beams upon which the adjacently positioned joists are positioned. 